How
it works:This unit of study is designed
to introduce students to the concept of "illustration" as
a component of the visual arts and graphic design. Introductory
focus is on illustrators who have earned the distinction
of having their illustrative art work recognized with
the Caldecott Award. Many of the books on the Caldecott
list are titles students recognize from their own childhood,
giving them more of a relationship with the project.
In this unit of study, students will research (online) the Caldecott
Award as it relates to the visual arts; select and research a specific
illustrator who has received a Caldecott Award and submit their findings
using an online submission process; write and illustrate a book for
a small child with a cultural connection; create decorated "paste
papers" for use in creating book images in a collage process;
and, manipulate created images using Adobe Photoshop software to
develop pages.

Standards addressed: All National Art Education Goals
are addressed via this unit. At the culmination of study,
students will be able to: Develop critical and creative
thinking skills and perceptual awareness necessary for
understanding and producing art; Develop skills necessary
for understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes;
Recognize, apply and evaluate the design principles used
in composition; Choose and evaluate a range of subject
matter and ideas to communicate intended meaning in artwork;
Understand the visual arts in relation to history and culture;
Reflect upon and assess the characteriastics and merits
of their work and the work of others; Perceive connections
between visual arts and other disciplines; Develop an awareness
of art as a profession.

Assessment: Several types of assessment take place during
this unit of study. The initial introductory research activity and
submission is one assessment. Bringing in the book researched is
another credit earned. Story line and sketches help pace the students
and serve as another check point. Having all images completed and
ready for scanning and going to the computer lab is another check
off. The actual page and book development is the "finale" and
culminating activity, and is assessed using a rubric that addresses
overall art related concepts and assignment goals. Interaction and
observation of students at work also provide opportunities to assess
understanding and progress.

Overall value:This project is loaded! There
is research related to an honorary award with which many
students are familiar. The students are challenged to
write and visually represent their thoughts, and to do
so in a format that would be fun and appropriate for
a small child. There is a high level of success. The
students use technology in several ways, first on line
as described above, as well as exploring Adobe Photoshop
software. In addition, students are required to write
or create their books in such as way that they reflect
on another culture, either through incorporated use of
a second language, or using a cultural approach to the
story line. The process used to decorate and use the
paste papers for the images always is exciting and colorful.
I am always surprised by all the variations on stories
and imagery. The students learn quite a bit and are excited
about their books!Tips: This project provides an introduction that
is teacher-designed and student-executed. The students are responsible
for their own preliminary/introductory self-learning related to the
unit of study. Because they use the online submission, their "report" is
documented and timed, and the areas to be covered in the research
are specific and identified in the submission form. The project allows
for a variety of learning styles and differentiation due to the variety
of activities and the personal choices provided the students both
for their research, book theme, and image development.

Pam Wittfeld

About the teacher:Pam Wittfeld presently works
for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools in Charlotte, NC, where
she teaches Crafts, Graphic Design, and Art II. Pam is
involved in a wide range of leadership and professional
development activities at the local and state level. She
is a National Board-Certified Teacher with 24 years' experience,
and was recognized by the NCAEA as the NC Secondary
Art Educator of the Year 2003. Pam has been a recipient
of several IMPACT II "Teachers Teaching Teachers" Grants,
is a recent TNPI Fellow, and also has licensure in Talent/Gifted
Development.

E-mail: wittfeld@aol.com

Subject
Areas:
Arts
Graphic Design

Grade
Levels:
10th - 12th grades

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